LA Times News

LA Times News

Al Qaeda in Iraq threatens attacks in U.S.

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 05:04 PM PDT

The militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq, which has rebuilt its campaign in the Persian Gulf nation, wants to launch attacks in the United States, intelligence officials say.

WASHINGTON — The militant organization that was once the scourge of the U.S. militarycampaign in Iraq and probably is responsible for more than 100 deaths in the country over the last few days has set its sights on launching attacks in the United States, intelligence officials said.

Israelis likely to take Romney visit with a grain of salt

Posted: 26 Jul 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The nation is used to the promises made in election years. Still, some worry that Netanyahu has taken a side in the partisanship.

JERUSALEM — If there's anything that inhabitants of the Promised Land are familiar with, it's the quadrennial promises of American presidential candidates who show up to affirm the "unbreakable" bond between Israel and the United States.

China flooding gives government another credibility crisis

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 05:23 PM PDT

A deadly rainstorm in Beijing has led to accusations that officials underreported the toll and failed to ensure the city's infrastructure can handle flooding.

BEIJING — Deadly rain that battered the nation's capital over the weekend has left the Chinese government knee-deep in its latest credibility crisis. Authorities are accused of underreporting the number of dead while failing to provide adequate infrastructure to safeguard against flooding in a swiftly modernizing metropolis.

Worries grow as healthcare firms send jobs overseas

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 05:00 AM PDT

Some healthcare companies are starting to shift clinical services and decision-making on medical care overseas, primarily to India and the Philippines.

WASHINGTON — After years of shipping data-processing, accounting and other back-office work abroad, some healthcare companies are starting to shift clinical services and decision-making on medical care overseas, primarily to India and the Philippines.

NBC hopes Olympics will help it medal with viewers, advertisers

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:50 PM PDT

The Olympics give fourth-place NBC a shot to heavily promote its new and returning shows (and its NBC Sports Network) to a massive audience.

No one likes losing money. But to NBC, the $100 million of red ink it may spill on the Summer Olympics is more like an investment — and a lesson in TV Economics 101.

CIA absence from Syria a setback for U.S., officials say

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:24 PM PDT

The lack of a CIA presence in Syria leaves the U.S. with scant details about opposition groups. Critics see a missed opportunity to influence Syrian rebels.

WASHINGTON — Despite a dire need for intelligence about the groups fighting to overthrow the Syrian government, the CIA has little if any presence in the country, seriously limiting its ability to collect information and influence the course of events, according to current and former U.S. officials.